I am considering a making a big investment in one of the new computerized sewing machines. I mostly want them for the embroidery capabilities and all those programs you can buy for it. I just wonder if they are really worth the money (about $1,000). Do they really do all they say they will do? I am considering it to make things to sell like napkins, tableclothes, etc.

-- Margret (mmm@none.net), March 12, 2002

Answers

Are you talking as in monogramming and so forth? I have often wondered that myself, and also wondered if you can input your own designs (copyright them, of course) into programs.

I guess the biggest concern is how they will stand up to commercial use, since I am assuming you are speaking of the ones sold for home use. Any warranty you had would be void once the company found that you were actually using the machine for business. Just something to think about.

-- GT (nospam@nospam.com), March 12, 2002.

Be sure to get one that can do more than monogram. You will get hooked and wish you could do more. There are lots of free designs on the internet that you can download and sew. All of the machines have programs that let you design your own stuff - some are included in the price of the machine and some are not - can get expensive. Many people that have these machines do sell some of their work. I think it is expected. I don't remember seeing anything in the warranty about limited commercial use which is what you would be doing. Check out all the different brands and get the best deal you can. Check out this site www.annthegran.com for hundreds of free designs. Have fun Joanie

-- Joanie (ber-gust@prodigy.net), March 12, 2002.

Joanie, I respectfully disagree--there is a world of difference in quality between anything made for commercial use and that made for exclusive home use, which is why there is often a huge price difference, and there is usually a clause buried in the fine print about warranties being voided by the commercial use of products designed for home use. Those warranties are written to protect the manufacturer, not necessarily the consumer.

One clause that a commercial user of a home use machine could easily run afoul of is "normal wear and tear". If someone is doing business out of the home and using this machine 4-5 hours straight per day, every day, this is not the same as someone using the machine once or twice a week. And I don't know what is considered "normal" wear and tear on such a machine.

There really isn't such a thing as "limited" commercial use, not from a company standpoint, anyway. Better safe than sorry, anyway.

-- GT (nospam@nospam.com), March 12, 2002.

I bought the New Home 8000 just before the 9000 model came out. Not sure how many other models have come out. The machine was a used one. Got the price down to $1400. My machine cannot be used with the computer for making your own designs or downloading designs.

New machines were at that time about $3,000 for same model and these are home machines. The embroidery space is 2" and I would love to have a larger area and make larger designs.

A Serger would be better for making "rolled hems" on tablecloths and napkins. I made boo-koodles for all of our kids and self. Made over 300 napkins to go with placemats and tablecloths for gifts one Christmas.

Thought I would make lots of clothes for grandchildren or add embroidery designs to store bought inexpensive shirts. Well, all the little tykes clothes come with embroidery already on them. My machine has seen little use.

Started out buying every card possible for the machine at $100 to $119 a pop. Finally decided I was wasting my money and have many that have never been used.

Thread for embroidery is not cheap.

Marie

-- Marie (prettyhollow@yahoo.com), March 12, 2002.

I think they're worth it. I have two. A Pfaff and a Bernina. My Pfaff is older. It was the top of line for it's time, but pre- embroidery arm style. It can be hooked up to a computer and personal embroidery patterns can be made and sent to the machines memory, just limited by space. My Bernina is a 180E. It has the embroidery arm and is more fun than you can imagine. I connect it to my computer and from there, the possibilites are endless. I also belong to a club where everyone owns at least one embroidery machine and many of the gals (and one guy) sell articles they have embroidered. I have never known of anyone being turned down for warranty service by the dealership for their particular machine because it was used in a commercial manner. In fact, the people at the Bernina shop that sold me my machine sell their "creations" in booths, at fairs, etc, themselves. They brag about how well their machines hold up and have proof because the "guy" has more stitches logged on his machine than they have ever seen on a machine before. And, it's still running strong.

My only question is where will you find an embroidery machine for $1000?

-- LS in MO (ScottlandJerseys@hotmail.com), March 12, 2002.

I have a Singer Touchtronic, which I've had for over l5 years. I hope it lives forever. It is such a joy to sew on it!

-- Kris in Wisc (kkwoestman@yahoo.com), March 19, 2002.

We have a touchtronic 2001, in oak cabinet,,,all reconditioned,,owned it since new,,,will sell for 400.00 Any takers???We can send photo etc!!!

-- tom ciupa (tciupa@sprint.ca), September 29, 2002.

Hello... Does anyone have a Bernina 180E for sale or know who sells??? Feel free to contact me

-- Charles (chaschmidt@pulltradestar.com), January 28, 2004.